Spirituality creates for us the quiet path to gently realign the self with what we value the most in life, that is, what matters to us the most. Whatever matters most at any given moment in time, will be where my thoughts go and will be the topic of all my conversations. What is dwelling in my mind will be revealed through my behaviour and words. At the end of a day, we can look back and reflect on whether we spent the day in the way we really wanted to or how much we were affected or influenced by others. Was my behaviour aligned with the best in me: my virtues, talents, abilities and potential – or was there some mismatch that I would like to change?
We can liken life to a journey, with a destination in mind. Just as on a physical journey, we can use a GPS system to guide us there and if we go off-track, for whatever reason, we can realign the GPS system to get us back on the right route. In the same way, on a spiritual journey, which most certainly has a destination or goal to reach, we need to keep realigning ourselves gently and patiently to our truth to keep ourselves on track.
If we find ourselves in situations that are taking us away from our spiritual goals, we should readjust and retune; no-one can force us to participate in gossipy conversations, for example, as there is always a way to circumvent such situations. Things never stay the same, and new things happen suddenly. We can check our responses, and that will show us if we are using our deep understanding of the self and our spiritual perspective, or if we are simply reacting. How quickly are we able to get back to the centre of our being, to the place of deep peace and pure love? Are we working from our head, or from our heart? If we use only our head, that is just information, then we will find that we are having to work hard for our spiritual progress. If we are working from our heart, that is using experience and understanding, then everything will simply flow and we will feel totally aligned, in thoughts, words and actions.
When we have a difficulty and need to work out what to do, it is like trying to work out what piece fits where in a jigsaw puzzle. When we find a few key pieces, then we find that everything starts to fall into place. Meditation gives us the space to find the key pieces; it gives us the chance to readjust and realign our thoughts and our understanding. We need to be able to choose the thoughts that are most beneficial to us, and then that is what we will put into action. This pausing throughout the day gives us the chance to retune and re-programme the GPS system, and sets us on the right road. We can only realign ourselves, not others. The choices are ours. We can gently, with patience, keep realigning the self and realigning a connection with a Supreme Energy, as though we are plugging the GPS into a continual charging point.
It takes wisdom, courage, and patience to continue to realign the mind. Those who find that courage, receive great help. Someone who occupies themselves in this kind of adjustment of the mind, are people who have a big and generous heart. They care about what they do and how they speak and most of all, they care about what thoughts they are pouring out into the atmosphere. They are trailblazers, who illuminate a path for others to follow.
Alka Patel is based at the Brahma Kumaris International Co-ordinating Office, London.
